Autism Connect is Australia’s first national autism helpline.
It provides information, advice and referrals to help autistic people, their supporters and professionals.
This helpline is free, evidence-based and independent.
The friendly team offers expert advice in many areas, including:
- exploring autism and autistic identity
- assessment and diagnosis
- school and education
- the NDIS
- behaviour strategies
- referrals to services
- peer support connections
- finding autism-friendly places and events
Autism Connect is now available in the ACT region, Tasmania and Victoria. It is rolling out across Australia and will be available in all states by mid 2021. Please stay tuned to this page, Amaze’s social media and our online newsletter to find out when it’s ready in your state. Amaze is proud to partner with Marymead Autism Centre and Autism Tasmania to deliver Autism Connect in the ACT Region and Tasmania. In Victoria, the service was previously known as the Autism Advisor service, which as been running for 12 years. Amaze is also proud to partner with Autism Awareness Australia to develop a new online resource “Autism… What Next?” to support autistic children and adults in their first year after diagnosis.
Want to know more?
Autism Connect is delivered by Amaze.
Amaze is the peak body for autistic people and their families in Victoria.
Founded in 1967 by a group of parents who were struggling to find autism resources, Amaze has been a leading voice in autism for more than 50 years. Amaze’s role is to ensure the voices of autistic people and their families are heard and their needs met. Amaze advocates to governments and works with the community to build wider understanding, engagement and acceptance of autistic people.
Providing evidence-based, independent information and support has been at the core of Amaze’s work since it began. Its Autism Advisor service supported more than 20,000 young children and families over 12 years as well as thousands of members of the autism community. In 2016 Amaze piloted an expanded Autism Advisor and Information Line service and in 2019 was successful in being awarded the NDIA Information Linkage and Referral grant to take this service – Autism Connect – Australia wide.
Now, the National Disability Insurance Agency has provided funding to expand this critical service all over Australia, as Autism Connect.
Download our Frequently Asked Questions sheet for additional information on how Autism Connect works.
Resources
Autism Connect is a leading source of information on autism. We are free, evidence-based and independent. That means we only provide information, advice and referral. We are not linked to any service provider or organisation that is looking for customers.
We can provide you with a list of different service providers and supports, to help you self-advocate and find the organisations that work for you.
We have a team of people with experience in disability services, education, science, resource creation, and with lived experience of autism. We work with autistic people (including Amaze staff), medical experts, allied health, researchers, and advocates to create information you can trust.
Please go to our resources page to view some of our recent resources.